Christian Values

At Finmere we believe that it is important to develop core values by which to live and cultivate moral virtues that support and form character, spiritual awareness and self-esteem. We feel a deep responsibility to nurture core values that can be shared and expressed by all regardless of faith or belief. As a school and community we seek to explore the meanings of core values and their significance in Christianity, other religions and secular teachings.

As a whole school community we have advocated distinctive values that we believe give our school a core purpose. The gifts of friendship, thankfulness, respect, community, creation, endurance, compassion, forgiveness, peace, wisdom, service, trust, humility, justice and hope are the values we want our children to leave with. While these gifts are inclusive of human values we try to anchor them into the Christian faith by relating them to the bible through stories and readings.

Our Christian values:

Term 1: Hope, Thankfulness, Creation

Term 2: Reverence, Peace, Humility

Term 3: Wisdom, Service, Endurance

Term 4: Forgiveness, Compassion

Term 5: Trust, Community, Justice

Term 6: Friendship

By working together as a community we can achieve these Christian Values.

Term 1:

Hope

Can we see signs around the school that tell us it is a hopeful place? Can we improve and celebrate this?

Can we explain our hopes for the school and how they relate to Christian hope?

Can we offer the opportunity of a new start to those who need a second chance?

Thankfulness

Can we express our appreciation and thankfulness in the life of the school?

Can we demonstrate that we see the good things of life as a blessing and a gift rather than a right?

Can we be thankful for more than just material possessions?

Creation

Can we nurture and appreciate the richness and diversity of God’s creation? Can we demonstrate practical experiences that promote this?

Can we nurture respect for, and also understand the link between scientific enquiry and faith in God?

Can we encourage and understand that there are moral choices to make about our lifestyles and the way we use earth’s resources?

Term 2:

Reverence/Respect

Can we show reverence/respect at appropriate times

Can we make a connection between reverence/respect for God and respect for each other?

Can we respond positively and challenge attitudes, actions or language that shows insensitivity or disrespect?

Peace

Can we define what a peaceful school or a peaceful classroom is? How do we contribute our Christian ethos to this?

Can we resolve our conflicts in a fair way? What skills and strategies do we have to help us?

Can we develop ‘peace makers’ and equip them with the necessary skills to be effective?

Humility

Can we encourage each other to see humility as a strength?

Can we encourage each other to ask for help when we need it?

Can we provide opportunities to serve others to understand and the importance of supporting roles and mundane tasks?

Term 3:

Wisdom

Can we explain the values on which our school is based?

Can we recognise the wisdom in one another? (Pupils in adults …. Adults in pupils.)

Can we examine the values that develop our attitudes, aspirations and decision making?

Service

Can we aspire to serve others?

Can we recognise our own gifts and use them effectively to serve others, so that our school and community becomes all that it could be?

Can we show thanks for those who help and serve the school?

Endurance

Can we understand that some things are worth working for even when they do not bring instant results? Can we develop patience?

Can we demonstrate compassion and concern for others when facing difficult times?

Can we show regard for things that have enduring value in a world of changing fashions and conflicting opinions?

Term 4:

Forgiveness

Can we recognise that we all make mistakes and need forgiveness from God and each other?

Can we help those who have done wrong to make amends?

Can we put forgiveness at the heart of everything that we do?

Compassion

Can we understand the importance of ensuring that everyone is included? How can we do this?

Can we support those who are experiencing difficulties?

Can we recognise and celebrate acts of compassion that are sensitive to everyone?

Term 5:

Trust

Can we encourage and promote relationships of trust in our school?

Can we learn to make and trust our own judgements?

Can we successfully deal with situations when trust is broken?

Community

Can we see ourselves as members of ‘one body’ (special members of our school, our village, our church) where everyone has something to offer to the whole?

Can we develop and strengthen our links with the church to the mutual benefit of us both?

Can we make the school lie at the heart of the community?

Justice

Can we show concern for fairness in our school and beyond our gates? Can we extend our concern for social justice in the wider world?

Can we develop a common understanding of why punishments are given?

Can we develop a common understanding of justice based upon what we believe to be fair and just?

Term 6:

Friendship

Can we recognise and promote the signs that our school is a friendly school?

Can we follow guidance and implement strategies for making and maintaining friendships?

Can we take responsibility, especially our older pupils, to support younger pupils in our school?